PART of a home created for badgers will be removed from a village garden despite a flurry of objections from concerned neighbours. Richard and Samantha Hart have been given planning permission to extend their garden over the 'badger corridor' which runs t
PART of a home created for badgers will be removed from a village garden despite a flurry of objections from concerned neighbours.Richard and Samantha Hart have been given planning permission to extend their garden over the 'badger corridor' which runs through the properties of Brae Road, Winscombe.Badger experts say the animals have moved on and there is no evidence they have ever inhabited the Harts' garden since the estate was built six years ago.But neighbours say the nocturnal creatures have been spotted in the gardens of Brae Road and need a place to live.Despite the objections, North Somerset Council's south area committee approved a planning application from the Harts to replace the badger corridor with their garden.The parish council had warned approving the application would set a precedent for other homeowners.Residents were told when they bought their homes that a 2.5m-wide badger corridor ran through the estate and it should be preserved.At the meeting Councillor Tony Lake, who represents Winscombe, proposed for another badger survey to take place but the committee decided to approve the application.Cllr Lake said: "Taking away the corridor will have long term implications."There are photos of neighbouring gardens which shows some activity into the badger corridor."Avon Badger Consultancy says in a report to councillors that there are no badgers living on the Harts' property and the corridor has never been used in the way it was expected to when it was built.
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